World Trade Center steel arrives in Arlington County, Virginia

Pictures from the Iron and Steel Run official website

Yesterday, hundreds of firefighters, politicians and others gathered around a steel beam at Arlington County (VA) Fire Department Station 5. It came from the rubble of the World Trade Center. It arrived in Arlington on Saturday as part of the Iron and Steel Run put on by the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation. The beam was escorted on its trip from Brooklyn by hundreds of motorcyclists. 

The organizers had originally hoped to deliver the beam to the Nation’s Capital. When talks with the DC Fire & EMS Department broke down earlier this year, news reports indicate the New York group contacted the Arlington County Fire Department.

Here are excerpts from ARLnow.com: 

Click the image for more pictures from ARLnow.com.

 “This morning we gather to recognize the bond between Arlington, New York and Shanskville [Pa.],” said Arlington County Fire Chief James Schwartz.  

Dozens of New York City and Arlington County firefighters were on hand for the ceremony. Music was provided by a large bagpipe corps and a youth choir from Georgia.

The steel beam — one end twisted and torn with remnants of concrete still attached — was from the North Tower of the World Trade Center, according to Paddy Concannon, president of the FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation, which arranged the donation.

Following the beam’s unveiling, firefighters took turns reading the names of those who died in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.